All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #691 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The space ship is designed to __________ its empty fuel tanks, releasing them into space when they are no longer needed.
jettison
prepare
contract
avoid
cling to
jettison
Since we know that the empty fuel tanks are "releas[ed]...into space when no longer needed," we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "release." Since "jettison" is a verb meaning "throw or drop something from an aircraft or ship" or "abandon or discard someone or something that is no longer wanted," "jettison" best fits the context of the sentence and is the correct answer.
Example Question #692 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After a foot of snow had fallen and school had been canceled, many kids spent the day building snow forts and __________ each other with snowballs.
authorizing
deciding
pelting
assuaging
swerving
pelting
We can infer that because the kids are likely to have thrown snowballs at each other, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "throw (something) at." "Pelting" is a verb which means either "attacking (someone) by repeatedly hurling things at them" or "repeatedly hurling (something) at someone or something," and because "pelting" best describes how the kids threw snowballs at each other, "pelting" is the correct answer.
Example Question #693 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
A neutral third party was asked to __________ between the two warring countries, with the hopes that by acting as an intermediary, the third party could help the warring countries reach a peace treaty and stop the fighting.
underestimate
mediate
compel
wreck
enervate
mediate
We can infer that we need to pick out a verb for the blank that means something like "act as an intermediary in," because the sentence declares that the third party was involved "with the hopes that by acting as an intermediary, the third party could help the warring countries reach a peace treaty and stop the fighting." "Mediate" is a verb that means "intervene between people in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation," and because "mediate" best describes the action of the third party in the sentence, "mediate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #694 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The students weren't in a hurry to get to class and simply __________ through the hallways of the high school.
pranced
swaggered
ambled
waddled
strutted
ambled
The students weren't in a hurry, therefore they probably walked slowly to class. So, we need to pick out an answer choice for the blank that means something like "walked slowly." "Ambled" means walked at a leisurely pace, so "ambled" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #695 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sarah uses painting and the written art of poetry to express her feelings and to __________ her emotions.
guide
fortify
convey
gratify
predict
convey
Sarah uses visual art and poetry as a way of expressing her feelings or conveying her feelings. Thus, convey is the best word to get across the idea of revealing her feelings through her art.
Example Question #696 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Fully stocked with provisions, the intrepid explorers __________ on a long and arduous journey.
garrisoned
embarked
dreaded
fortified
encamped
embarked
From the context of the sentence, you know that the answer choice must describe how the explorers left on their journey. That rules out "encamped," "fortified," and "garrisoned," which all mean settled down in one place. "Dreaded" means feared, so it cannot be the correct answer either. The correct answer is “embarked,” which means set off or began a trip.
Example Question #697 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The local store agreed to __________ her campaign as long as she agreed to protect their interests if she were elected.
discourage
destroy
supplant
juxtapose
endorse
endorse
From the context of the sentence, it is clear that the local store would be in support of the politician's campaign. The correct answer is “endorse,” which means to publically offer support for an individual or a cause. To further help you, "supplant" means replace; "juxtapose" means compare and contrast; "discourage" means to cause someone to lose confidence.
Example Question #698 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When John questioned Gregory’s conclusions, the latter became extremely angry and began to __________ the former for daring to challenge his research.
decimate
interrogate
recant
question
berate
berate
Since Gregory is said to be have become "extremely angry," it is fair to assume that his response to John is less than kind. Therefore, the options "interrogate" and "question" are far too mild for our needs. The verb "interrogate" means question (as in "interrogation," which is a process of questioning, often formal and for legal and/or criminal reasons). The word "recant" (meaning deny or renounce) does not apply at all. Likewise, "decimate" means exact a great amount of killing or destruction. This word implies physical violence, which we cannot here assume. The word "berate" means means criticize nastily, which best describes Gregory's angry response to the questions being raised by John.
Example Question #699 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After an impressive start, the basketball team __________ at the end of the season and missed the playoffs.
reclined
flourished
organized
rallied
floundered
floundered
While the verb, "to flounder," is almost certainly unrelated to the fish species, as a homonym the connection can help you remember the definition. If a flounder were to be out of the water for too long he would start to flounder, or flop about and struggle. "Rallied" and "flourished" would have nearly the opposite meaning.
Example Question #700 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Tony took pain relievers and put ointment on his bruise to __________ his pain.
alleviate
Accentuate
Delegate
exacerbate
Amplify
alleviate
Tony did things to get rid of his pain. "Alleviate" means to sooth, so it fits best in the blank. "Exacerbate," "amplify," and "accentuate" are all words that mean that his pain would be increased. "Delegate" means to give responsibility to.
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